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Are you an athletics coach or official looking for financial assistance in order to attend courses or purchase equipment to enable you to progress in your career? If so, BASC may be able to help you.

Over the last few years, awards have been made for coaches to further their coaching career by taking additional courses, while in one instance we have also assisted with the purchase of a special training bicycle for a coach. Officials have also benefited from the scheme, with awards covering their expenses, or even to purchase starters equipment.

Development of the bursary scheme

The BASC Bursary Scheme introduced in 2013 was designed to make awards to Coaches and Officials using the donations given to the supporters club by members. The initial Bursary scheme was communicated via an article in Athletics Weekly and a notice at the annual Officials conference, which led to applications to the scheme. Four applications were approved by the Committee during the first year.

In 2014/15 the scheme was renamed as the ‘Peter White Bursary Scheme’, in memory of a great supporter and fan of athletics Peter White, who left a legacy to the club, which has been set aside to assist in funding the Bursary scheme. The scheme was again announced at the Officials conference and England Athletics highlighted the scheme in one of their regular email updates. This prompted fifteen applications, of which seven were successful.

In 2015 and 2016 the scheme was more widely advertised, with contacts at England, Northern Ireland, Wales & Scotland Athletics all communicating the scheme to their members. This prompted over 30 applications, of which 18 were successful. Already in 2017 we have received 20 applications of which 12 were successful.

Applying for a bursary

The scheme is open to applications at any time and are reviewed every few months, usually around February, May, July and October. BASC will award sums of up to £250 to successful applicants who, in their pursuit of higher standards, possibly, but not exclusively, attend a qualification course run by England Athletics or similar organisation. In return the Club will expect them to keep BASC club members updated on their progress and write an article and supply photo(s) for inclusion in Backtrack – the club’s members magazine - and on our website.

All coaching applications must be from active club leaders or coaches within an affiliated athletics club, who are involved in coaching events which British Athletics supports. Applicants are expected to hold at least one previous qualification or to demonstrate commitment to their club if the funding is for a first qualification. Regrettably, bursaries will not be awarded to those involved with general running for fitness groups.